Means for laying brick



Feb. 26, 1946. w ms 2,395,438

MEANS FOR LAYING BRICK Filed June 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 4.FT WA r/r/A/s,

A rro/mwy Feb. 26, 1946. A. F. WATKINS 2,395,433

MEANS FOR LAYING BRICK Filed June 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 26,1946.

A. F. WATKINS MEANS FOR LAYING BRICK Filed June 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet3 Y @HJM;

fQQQMaW Patented Feb. 26, 194s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel and improved means or devices forlaying brick for the construction of retaining, terracing and otherwalls,

bins, cribs, and various other wall structures or edifices built ofwalls or tiers of brick laid in courses.

The laying of brick in accordance with conventional practices is more orless time consuming and expensive, as it requires the use of skilledhelp in performing the usual steps of laying down a bed of mortar ofmore or less exact thickness, applying mortar to each individual brickto fill spaces between and bind together adjacent bricks, placing eachbrick in position and tamping it to set it and displace excess mortar,and removing the excess mortar and pointing up the brickwork in thecustomar way. 7

One object of my invention is to provide a novel means or devices forlaying brick whereby a number of these customary steps may be eliminatedand whereby walls of plain or more or less ornate type may beconveniently and rapidly erected in a time and labor saving manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel and improvedmeansor devices for laying brick. whereb the work may be satisfactorilyperformed by unskilled workmen or more easily, quickly andadvantageously performed as compared with conventional methods byskilled workmen.

The invention consists of the means or devices for carrying the sameinto practice hereinafter fully described and claimed, and as shown inthe accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective viewshowing a number of courses of a portion of a wall, for example aretaining or terracing wall, constructed in accordance with theinvention, and showing also steps of the method of laying anothercourse;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a portion of the partsdisclosed in Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale and illustrating the operationof starting the laying of a new course of brick at one end of thedefined work field;

. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fi 3. showing some of the brick of the newcourse laid;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the combined gauging and clampingmembers;

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same;

Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sections on the lines 8-8 and 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the row spacing auge; and

Fig. 11 is a similar view of one of the gauge boards.

In carrying my invention into practice in the building of a wall or likebrick structure, I provide a suitable base or foundation on which thebricks of a first course are laid and on which are laid in superposedorder successive courses the bricks of each course being ordinarily laidflatwise in two or more parallel rows, with the bricks of adjacentcourses and the bricks of the rows of a course preferably arranged tobreak joint with each other in the usual manner. The bricks may,however, be laid edgewise longitudinally or transversely, or bothfiatwise and edgewise longitudinally or transversely in the same orsuccessive courses, or in any other known manner, according to thecharacter of the wall to be built. I do not limit my invention to anparticular manner of arrangement of the brick in laying the brick solong as the principles of operation embodying the invention may beemployed in laying the same.

In the present instance, in order to better 11- lustrate the invention,and to clearly show the greater portion of a brickwork structure builtin accordance therewith, I have shown in the drawings a partly completedwall I formed of a plurality of previously laid courses 2, 3, 4, d and8, on the uppermost complete course 6 of which another course I, whichhas been partly laid, is being completed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention.

As shown, in the operation of laying a course, horizontal longitudinallyextending gauge boards or plates 8, each of suitable length and width ordepth, are arranged to bear upon the outer faces of the brick of thecourse previously laid. at the outer and inner sides of the wall. Theseboards are placed so that their upper edges 9 project a predetermineddistance above the upper surface of the previously laid course. Tosuspend or support the boards in gauged position while they are A beingclamped in place sets of openings III are formed in each board at pointsintersecting gage lines II and at suitable distances apart for thepassage of sustaining pins 12 which extend beyond the inner faces of theboards and rest on the upper surface of the previously laid course, suchas the course 6, whereby the boards are held with their edges 9projecting upward to the desired degree. Combined clamping and gaugingmembers l3 are employed to thereafter clamp the boards in appliedposition while subsequent operwhich members I! are disposed a suitableand convenient distance apart to leave. a work field between them forthe laying of the mortar bed and the brick.

The members I3, as shown, are arranged transversely of the wall underconstruction so as to bridge across the space between the boards 8, andeach is of arched conformation or of inverted U-shape and comprises abody portion I4 having at each end a depending leg it. Two such clampingand. gauging members may be disposed, as in the example shown, atstarting and finishing points in the length of the whole or a predetenmined portion of the course to be laid. When disposed in workingposition the body portion l4 of the members I! are spaced from theunderlying course so as to overhang any bricks previously laid at thepoints or to permit brick to be laid thereunder, while the legs I5 arearranged to depend and bear against the outer faces of the boards 8. Theinner faces it of the legs I5 are beveled or inclined at the same angleas openings l1 extending downward through the body portion l4, and wedgepins or keys 18 are adapted to be inserted into these openings so as tobring their lower ends into the spaces between the faces i6 and rowbricks l9 and of the new course disposed under the body portion to clampthe boards 8 and the member l3 securely in position. The use of suchclamping means obviously permits relative adjustment between the boards8 and members l3 to adapt the boards to be arranged at higher or lowergauging levels, or at different gauging elevations, and the member l3 tobe properly positioned relative thereto so as to obtain firm and secureclamping actions. At the center of the body portion ll each member i3 isalso provided with a tapered opening 2i for the downward passage of atapered spacing gauge pin 22. the lower end of which is inserted betweenthe opposed inner sides of the starting bricks l9 and 20 of the rowsunderlying the member l3 at the starting point to hold said bricks inproperly spaced relation for use as gauges to enable the new bricks ofthe course to be readily and quickly laid by the workman in properlyspaced longitudinal rows. For the purpose of enabling the workman to laythe bricks of each row with their ends accurately spaced apart a smallhand tool 23 may be employed. This tool, which may be made of metal orother suitable material, is L-shaped and comprises a handle part 24 anda gauge blade part 25. In its use the tool is placed so that its handlepart 24 rests upon the top of a brick which ha been laid and with itsblade part 25 bearing against the end of such brick lying next to theadjacent end of the following brick to be laid so that in the act oflaying the latter named brick and pressing it down into a formed bed ofmortar, as hereinafter described, the adjoining bricks of a row as laidwill be properly spaced with relation to each other.

The drawings show, for the purpose of illustrating one typ of wall whichmay be built in accordance with the invention, a retaining or terracingwall which is completed except for a portion of its upper main course,the completed portions of which are shown as surmounted by a finishingrow-brick course 26 of brick laid crosswise and edgewise to give anornamental finish. Each corner of the wall may also, if desired, befinished by using extra brick 21 to give-the appearance or impression ofcorner posts.-

Assuming that the gauge boards 8 and clamping and gauge members "havebeen applied for use as above described in completing the unfinishedportion of the top course 1, which will give an understanding of themode of laying each course of a wall of a desired length and width, theoperation is as follows:

The upper projecting edges 8 of the boards I as applied form with theupper surface of the course 6 a shallow trough extending the length ofthe uncompleted portion of the course I. Into this trough is introducedmortar, which is spread and smoothed out'by means of a screed board orpaddle run along the edges 8 as guides, so as to form a mortar bed 28flush with the edges 0 and of a prescribed depth determined thereby. Onthis bed of mortar the remaining bricks 29, some of which are shown, arelaid, in break-joint or other intended manner, until all the bricks tocomplete the course I are laid between the spaced clamping and gaugingmembers l3. As each brick of a row is laid it is pressed down into themortar in gauged alinement with the preceding brick and accuratelyspaced longitudinally therefrom, and laterally also if desired, by theuse of the tool 23. By means of the gauge boards 8 and members I3. whichmaybe applied for use by anyone of ordinary mechanical knowledge andskill, the operation of forming the mortar bed and laying the brick maybe easily, quickly and eiliciently performed even by unskilled workmenand, as compared with the building of a wall in the conven tionalmanner, may be much more quickly performed by skilled bricklayers. Afterthe bricks of the course are laid in the manner above described asuitable fluent or plastic joint closing and binding medium, such asgrout of proper consistency, is poured into the spaces or cracks betweenthe laid bricks, thus filling all spaces and binding and pointing up allthe brick in an easy, rapid and labor saving manner. Any excess groutwhich may extrude beyond the outer surface of the face brick may bereadily wiped or scraped off before the grout sets.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, my novel and improved method of laying brick forthe construction of walls and other brickwork structures, and thedevices used in carrying the method into practical effect, w ll bereadily understood without a further and extended description, and itwill be seen that the invention provides a means for carrying out suchbuilding operations in a simple, easy, convenient and timesaving manner.Furthermore, as such method anddevices enable many of the steps employedin laying brick in the customary manner to be eliminated, the use ofskilled help is not absolutely essential, and as the work may be morerapidly performed greater economy in doing the work' is insured.

While the steps of operation and construction of the devices employed asdisclosed are preferred, it is to be understood that the invention isnot restricted thereto, but that changes falling within the scope of theappended claims may be made without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

I claim: 7

1. Means for use in laying brick upon a base or previously laid coursefor the production of a wall or like structure comprising, incombination, a pair of longitudinal gauge members dis posed at oppositesides of the base or laid course with their upper edges projecting abovethe same to form abutment surfaces for and to gauge the level of a bedof mortar to be laid upon the prepared base or course and upon whichbrick of a succeeding course are to be laid and transverse gaugingmembers disposed over the prepared base or course and engaged with thelongitudinal gauge members to secure the same in position, at least oneof said transverse members being provided with means for gauging thedistance between inner and outer bricks of rows of bricks to belaid toform the succeeding course.

2. Means for use in laying brick upon a base or previously laid coursefor the production of a wall or like structure comprising, incombination, a pair of longitudinal gauge members disposed at oppositesides of the base or laid course with their upper edges projecting abovethe same to form abutment surfaces for and to gauge the level of a bedof mortar to be laid upon the prepared base or course and upon whichbrick of a succeeding course are to be laid, and inverted U- shapedtransverse clamping and gau ing members disposed over the prepared baseor course, each comprising a horizontal body portion and legs dependingtherefrom and each provided with clamping elements cooperating with itslegs to engage the longitudinal gauge members and secure the same inposition, at least one of said transverse members having a verticallydisposed gauge for gauging the distance between inner and outer bricksof rows of bricks to be laid on the succeeding course.

3. Means for use in laying brick upon abase or previously laid coursefor the production of a wall or like structure comprising, incombination, a pair of longitudinal gauge members disposed at oppositesides of the base or laid course with their upper edges projecting abovethe same to form abutment surfaces for and to gauge the level of a bedof mortar to be laid upon the prepared base or course and upon whichbrick of a succeeding course are to be laid, and transverse clamping andgauging members disposed over the prepared base or course between thelongitudinal gauge members and provided with means to engage and securesaid longitudinal gauge members in position and also provided with agauge member set to gauge the distance between inner and outer bricks ofrows of bricks of the succeeding course.

4. Means for use in laying brick upon a base or previously laid courseof brickwork for the production of a wall or like structure comprising,in combination, a pair of longitudinal gauge boards disposed at oppositesides of the base or laid course with their upper edges projectin abovethe same to form abutment surfaces for and to gauge the level of a bedof mortar to be laid upon the prepared base or course and upon whichbrick of a succeeding course are to be laid, means for adjustablysuspending the boards from the laid brickwork, and U-shaped transverseclamping and gauging members disposed over the prepared base or coursebetween the longitudinal gauge members and each including a horizontalbody portion and vertical legs depending therefrom and provided withwedges extending downward through said body portion for cooperation withthe legs to engage and secure said longitudinal gauge members inposition and also inner and outer bricks of rows of bricks of thesucceeding course.

5. A transverse gauge member for use in laying brick comprising aninverted U-shaped'unitary a mortar bed is to be laid.

6. A transverse gauge member for use in laying brick comprising aninverted U-shaped member including a horizontal transverse body portionand depending legs at the ends thereof, and clamping wedges on saidmember, one for cooperation with each leg, extendingdownward through thebody portion on the inner sides of and adjacent to the legs.

7. A transverse gauge member for use in laying brick comprising aninverted U-shaped element having a horizontal transverse body portionand depending legs at the ends thereof, clamping elements extendingdownward through said member, one for cooperation with each leg, toclamp cooperating gauging member against opposite sides of a wall onwhich a mortar bed is to be laid, and a gauge member mounted on the bodyportion and extending downward therefrom between the legs for gaugingthe space between bricks of rows of bricks to be laid.

8. A transverse gauge member for use in laying brick comprising aninverted U-shaped member including a horizontal transverse body portionand depending legs at the ends thereof, means carried by said member.for cooperation with the legs to clamp. cooperating gauging membersagainst opposite sides of a wall on which a mortar bed is to be laid,and a gauge member mounted on the body portion and extending downwardtherefrom between the legs for gauging the space between bricks of rowsof bricks to be laid on the mortar bed.

9. A transverse gauge member for use in laying brick comprising aninverted U-shaped member having a horizontal transverse body portion anddepending legs at the ends thereof, means carried by said member forcooperation with the legs to clamp cooperating gauging members againstopposite sides of a wall on which a mortar bed is to be laid, and agauge member carried by said member and disposed between the legs forgauging the space between bricks of rows of bricks to be laid on themortar bed.

10. Means for use in laying brick upon a base or previously laid coursefor the production of a provided with a gauge member extending downwardthrough the body portion at a point bewall or like structure comprising,in combination, a pair of longitudinal gauge members disposed atopposite sides of the base or laid course with their upper edgesprojecting above the same to form abutment surfaces for and to gauge thelevel of a bed of mortar to be laid upon the prepared base or course andupon which brick of a succeeding course are to be laid, longitudinally.

spaced and transverse clamping and gauging members disposed over theprepared base or course and provided with depending legs and cooperatingmeans for engaging and securing the longitudinal gauge members inposition, and a auge member mounted on at least one of said transverseengaging and clamping members and disposed between its legs for gaugingthe space between bricks of rows of brickato be laid on the mortar bed.

11. Means for use in laying brick upon a base or previously laid coursefor the production of a wall or like structure comprising, incombination, a pair of longitudinal gauge members disposed at oppositesides' of the base or laid course with their upper edges projectingabove the same to form abutment surfaces for and to gauge the level of abed of mortar to be laid upon the prepared base or course and upon whichbrick of a succeeding course are to be laid, and transverse clamping andgauging members disposed over the prepared base or course between thelongitudinal gauge members and provided with legs and wedges coactingtherewith to engage and secure said longitudinal gauge members inposition-and also provided with a gauge member set to gauge the distancebetween inner; and

'outer bricks of rows of bricks of the succeeding succeeding course areto be laid, and transverseclamping .and gauging members disposed overing brick comprising an inverted U-shaped uni tary. member including ahorizontal transverse body portion and rigid depending legs at the endsthereof, said legs having inner inclined faces, and clamping wedges onsaid member extending downward through the body in contact withsaid'i'aces and adapted to. clamp cooperating gauging members againstopposite sides of a wall on which a mortar bed isto be laid.

l4. Atr'ansverse gauge member for use in laying brick comprising -.aninverted U-shaped unitary member having a horizontal transverse bodyportion and rigid depending legs at the ends'thereof, said legs havinginner inclined faces, clamping wedges extending downward through saidmember in contact with the inclined faces of the le s for clampingcooperating gauging members against opposite sides of a wall on which amortar bed is to be laid, and a gauge member mounted on the body portionand extending downward therefrom between the legs for gaugthe preparedbase or course between the lon ituing the space between bricks of rowsotbricks to'be laid. 4 V

15. Means for use in laying brick upon a base or previously laid coursefor the production of a wall or like structure comprising, incombination, a pair of longitudinal gauge members disposed at oppositesides 01' the base or laid course with their upper edges projectingabove the same to form abutment surfaces for and to gauge the level of abed of mortar to be laid upon the prepared baseor course and upon whichbrick of a succeeding course are to be laid, and transverse ,clampingand gauging members disposed over the prepared base or course andprovided with depending legs, and clamping elements coacting with saidlegs to engage the longitudinal gauge members and secure the same inposition.

ARCHIBALD r'. wn'rxms.

